pauraque_bk | PoA 19

PoA 19: The Servant of Lord Voldemort

For those who take chapter titles seriously, this one is a pretty good indication that the Second Prophecy does refer to Peter.

This chapter is a bit on the long side, and I did say I would try not to repeat myself... so I've left off some of the (many) things I think about what Peter says in this chapter. If you're interested, I wrote them up... hm, nearly a year ago... in an essay.

'You fool,' said Lupin softly. 'Is a schoolboy grudge worth putting an innocent man back inside Azkaban?' (263)

Probably the stupidest move Remus makes in the book. If he'd set out to say something that would make Snape hit the roof at this moment, I can't think of many better things. Remus is lucky Snape didn't do him any real damage.

'KEEP QUIET, YOU STUPID GIRL!' Snape shouted, looking suddenly quite deranged. 'DON'T TALK ABOUT WHAT YOU DON'T UNDERSTAND!' (264)

It's good to remember that Snape is capable of outbursts like this. Admittedly, it's the release of an entire book's worth of tension, but still. Can you imagine Remus ever screaming like this? In any situation?

'Of course,' Lupin breathed, 'so simple ... so brilliant ... He cut it off himself?'
'Just before he transformed,' said Black. (266)

'[...]Finally, I managed to communicate to [Crookshanks] what I was after, and he's been helping me... [...] Peter got wind of what was going on and ran for it ... [Crookshanks] told me Peter had left blood on the sheets [...]' (267)

This addresses a question from Chapter 13 -- Sirius did indeed know that Peter had run away, presumably before he broke into the boys' bedroom. Looks even worse for his state of mind.

[Pettigrew pointed] at Black, and Harry saw that he used his middle finger, because his index was missing. (269)

As an aside: the fact that Peter cut off his right index (GoF) suggests strongly that he's left-handed.

Harry saw his eyes dart to the door and back again. (269)

[...]looking wildly about him once more, eyes taking in the boarded windows and, again, the only door. (269)

Pettigrew was muttering distractedly; [...] but [Harry] couldn't help paying more attention to the ashen colour of Pettigrew's face, and the way his eyes continued to dart towards the windows and door. (271)

As Peter becomes increasingly hysterical, JKR makes sure we know he's thinking -- alert for opportunities to make a break for it. This is what's so interesting about him, and explains how he managed to do the things he did -- even in the grip of genuine panic, there's a part of him that keeps control and does exactly what must be done for Peter to survive.

Pettigrew opened his mouth and closed it several times. He seemed to have lost the ability to talk. (272)

Actually, I'm surprised that Peter and Sirius, having been animals for the greater part of 12 years, are as articulate as they are.

'I think the only reason I never lost my mind is that I knew I was innocent[...]' (272)

There was discussion of this in Chapter 17. Sirius has wildly contrasting feelings of guilt at making Peter Secret-Keeper, and self-righteous... outrage?... piety?... that he was wrongly imprisoned for Peter's murder.

'Sirius -- it's me ... it's Peter ... your friend ... you wouldn't ...' (273)

Peter appeals to Sirius's loyalty, which is perhaps not as nutty as it seems, given the high premium wizards place on it.

'You don't believe this ... Wouldn't Sirius have told you they'd changed the plan?'
'Not if he thought I was the spy, Peter,' said Lupin. 'I assume that's why you didn't tell me, Sirius?' he said casually over Pettigrew's head. (273)

I'm dying to know why Sirius would have thought Remus was the spy. It's been suggested that Peter sowed the seeds of distrust in Sirius's mind, which I rather like.

'Ron ... haven't I been a good friend ... a good pet? You won't let them kill me, Ron, will you ... you're on my side, aren't you?'
But Ron was staring at Pettigrew with the utmost revulsion.
'I let you sleep in my bed!' he said. (273-274)

tekalynn once made the wonderful observation that this is almost existential horror on Ron's part.

Pettigrew knelt, trembling uncontrollably, and turned his head slowly towards Harry.
'Harry ... Harry ... you look just like your father ... just like him ...'
'HOW DARE YOU SPEAK TO HARRY?' roared Black. 'HOW DARE YOU FACE HIM? HOW DARE YOU TALK ABOUT JAMES IN FRONT OF HIM?'
'Harry,' whispered Pettigrew, shuffling towards him, hands outstretched, 'Harry, James wouldn't have wanted me killed ... James would have understood, Harry ... he would have shown me mercy ...' (274)

Only after trying everyone else in the room (Sirius, Remus, Ron, and Hermione) in sequence does Peter turn to Harry, and doing so is clearly a new height of emotion for him. It's also, to me, one of the scariest moments in the series. Harry's resemblance to James has earned him disdain and admiration, and both are reiterated in this chapter, by Snape -- " 'Like father, like son, Potter!' " (265) -- and Sirius -- " '...you fly as well as your father did, Harry...' " (273). Now, a new element is introduced: What Peter says here goes beyond admiration and comparison, and into worship (Peter kneels) and equasion. Harry looks just like James... so he must share James's understanding (invented by Peter)... he must be James.

Sirius and Peter are vying for James's forgiveness, as represented by Harry's understanding. And, strangely enough, I think they both end up feeling like they have it. When Harry stops Peter's execution, he says he's doing it because James would have wanted it that way (275). Peter's intense relief, coupled with physically grabbing Harry and hugging him (around the knees), is remarkable.

'He would have killed me, Sirius!'
'THEN YOU SHOULD HAVE DIED!' roared Black. 'DIED RATHER THAN BETRAY YOUR FRIENDS, AS WE WOULD HAVE DONE FOR YOU!' (275)

I have to admit, "then you should have died" always gives me a chill. JKR may paint with bold colors, but she sure knows what she's doing with them.

However, I have my doubts as to whether Sirius would really have been willing to die for Peter. Sirius's contempt for him dates back before the betrayal -- he recalls thinking that no one would ever dream they'd use a "weak, talentless thing" like him for their Secret-Keeper (271). What we see of them in OotP seems to confirm this.

'You should have realised,' said Lupin quietly. 'If Voldemort didn't kill you, we would. Goodbye, Peter.' (275)

Remus's characteristic cool, pushed to an extreme by circumstance, puts the words of a merciless killer in his mouth. I wonder what he'd make of the words of Marcus Brutus, another man reknowned for his great calm and consideration:

So are we Caesar's friends, that have abridged
His time of fearing death. Stoop, Romans, stoop,
And let us bathe our hands in Caesar's blood
Up to the elbows, and besmear our swords:
Then walk we forth, even to the market-place,
And, waving our red weapons o'er our heads,
Let's all cry 'Peace, freedom and liberty!'

(Shakespeare, Julius Caesar)

Past re-read posts are here. Just three chapters left!